Brand South Africa saddened at the passing of former Chairperson Ms Anitha Soni

Brand South Africa saddened at the passing of former Chairperson Ms Anitha Soni

South Africa has lost a passionate and committed Brand Ambassador

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, May 18, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Brand South Africa (http://www.brandsouthafrica.com) has learnt with sadness of the passing of former Chairperson Ms Anitha Soni on Sunday.

Reflecting on the tenure of Ms Soni from 2009-2012, Brand South Africa’s Chairman Ms Chichi Maponya said, “Today South Africa has lost a passionate and committed Brand Ambassador. Ms Soni was a patriot in the true sense of the word, she used her innate skills and ability to serve our country.”

“Under her leadership as Chair of the Board, Ms Soni led the rebranding of the then-International Marketing Council (IMC) to Brand South Africa. It was also during her tenure that Brand South Africa began to focus on the domestic market as well as the international. This was based on the understanding that a successful nation brand is built by citizens of the country, from the inside out.”

“Indeed Ms Soni’s commitment to developing the South African brand from the inside out also found expression in her commitment to social development projects. In this regard she supported the education and development of women throughout the country as well as within the continent.”

“She also believed passionately in the ability of tourism to contribute to a strong nation brand while also providing employment to thousands of people. She therefore contributed immensely to the drafting of South African National Tourism Policy.”

“Today we express our appreciation to Ms Soni for her active role in branding South Africa a country that Inspires New Ways. The Board, management and staff express our deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Ms Soni. We share in your mourning and pray that in time, the pain and sadness that you are now experiencing, will pass,” concluded Ms Maponya.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Brand South Africa.

Brand South Africa (http://www.brandsouthafrica.com) is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, in order to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.